Excaliburn

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
It's a crying shame that M&K went out of business (at least, under the original team) and that you can't get these units new. I've owned Martin-Logan and Velodyne subs, but these are my favorites. I'm currently using two of them with a set of Magnepan MG 10.1s.

Though they use only 8" drivers, there are two of them in a push-pull configuration. One faces forward and the other faces down (if you position them vertically, as I do). I've got them about 18" from the corners of my room and sitting on four coffee cups to get them 4" off the carpet. I route a line level signal to each from my M&K LP-1S passive high-pass filter. The filter rolls off at about 18 dB per octave at close to 80 Hz. I set the subs' internal low-pass at around 90 Hz. I route the left channel signal to the Left/Mono input of one and the right channel to the other, keeping the level control on each almost wide open. (Levels are controlled from the high-pass filter.)

They don't provide the super-deep bass of some subs, but they are very tight and I can't detect any objectionable resonance points. The two of them absolutely play as loud as I could want. In action, they are virtually undetectable as separate speakers. (Since they are fairly small, people are always missing them and asking how I get such deep bass from the planar MG 10.1s.)

Mine have held up just fine...no amp problems yet. Still, I'm on the lookout for another one or two for spares. The level and low-pass filter controls do get a bit noisy, but you can clean them fairly easily if you're not scared to disassemble them. If you are, take them to a good stereo shop and have them do it.

Last bit of advice, do not use the speaker level inputs if you can avoid it. Sound is not as good. Also, use good quality, well-shielded cables to connect them. (No, you don't need $500 worth of cryo cables...just buy decent standard cables.)

lsmar

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
2.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $450.00 from Audio Den

Summary:
A really powerful compact sub. I had my doubts about the push-pull design, but I was proven wrong. It produces nice, deep tight bass out of a pretty small cabinet. Although the instructions say it can be used horizontally or vertically, the vertical alignment provides much tighter bass. As with the VX-7 Mk II, this sub can pull-off music as well as HT (although I'm not really a audiophile, but more of a HT-buff and my comments on music shouldn't be taken too seriously). Another great sub by M&K.

Strengths:
Small cabinet. Deep, tight bass. Nice looking and durable cabinet

Weaknesses:
Vertical alignment is required for decent sound.

Similar Products Used:
M&K VX-7 Mk II

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I brought the merlin TSM-M about two yrs ago, I never listen to it before I brought. however after reading so many good review, I decided to take a chance and brought the TSM. As soon as I open the box, I found the Merlin is kind of special. the Ruby red look gorgeous. per Bobby recommendation, I brought the transparent speaker. my wife at first don't like the look. when I hook it up with the simaudio I-5 integrated amp. it just blow away the soliquy 5.3 right away and more important to me, I just fall in love with it. don't know why, it just sounds so----- good, the female vocal now have a soul and emotion. it just make me moved! I went to many shop these day and listen to many speaker. one of them is the new virgo. both my wife and me agree that the TSM sound better than the virgo. don't know how to descrip, just sound better. whenever I listen a another high end speaker, I just don't understand why those high price(over $3000 or much) don't sound as good as my little merlin! and I keep upgrade my equipment, some for good, some for bad. first I get the sony DVP 9000ES and get it moded. next I got the Cal Sigma II and change the tube with telefunken 12AX7, and finally I switch to Rogue Audio 88 and 99 comb. every change I made just made the merlin sound better and better. recently I got my final upgrade: the IC to Harmonic Tech pro II. now when I sat down the put the Hole Cole Trio CD into the Sony 9000ES, I begin to understand how good, how wonderful the Merlin is. every time I upgrade, I always ask Bobby for suggestion and he always there to help me and his suggestion always work so well. And now you know what, everyone come in my house will praise how beatiful the speaker look as well. thanks and great job on TSM

Strengths:
beatiful sound, great look

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
soliquy, Thiel 1.5

Price Paid:  $500.00 from Andersons TV and Stereo

Summary:
I believe that for the size of these subs that the 2 8" drivers deliver astounding deep bass. I bought the first 1 a year ago then on sale, then recently purchased another just because 2 subs are my thing. The 125w subs really shake the room delivering clean ground shaking bass straight to your chest. As all other M&K products these subs are well built and they also deliver the punch,accurately. Since the foot print is so small it amazes everyone who has experienced my demo of a movie or music. They pair well with the M&K S-125's and the 150THX dippolars for a real complete enveloping system. Im glad i bought them.

Strengths:
Top notch bass with less space

Weaknesses:
I only have 2

Summary:
This thing is awesome, I got it used at a great price. Can't be happier. Looks good, takes up less than a square feet of space. The sound is just plain amazing. bass is tight, real deep and satisfying. I can't praise this thing highly enough